Campaigners gathered outside Liverpool Town Hall to try to stop some of Liverpool’s green spaces being developed on, but were left disappointed after the council rejected their proposals.

A protest was held on Wednesday in a bid to halt plans set for the likes of Sefton Park Meadows and Walton Hall Park before the council debate, which saw a motion put forward by a coalition of opposition parties, but it was defeated by 71 votes to nine.

Liverpool Green Party leader John Coyne took part in the protest and said that campaigners would continue to fight for their cause.

He told JMU Journalism: “We’re here to show that the green spaces in Liverpool are really important and to try and push through a change of direction so that we can use land in the city a lot more efficiently. There is lots going on in this process before anything gets done to the likes of Walton Hall Park or Sefton Park Meadows.”

The protest and debate comes after the council announced its local plan and introduced the possibility of building on some green spaces.

Councillor Peter Mitchell, Mayoral Lead for Parks and Open Spaces, said that it is important that the council starts the process of consultation and more information will develop over the coming months.

He told JMU Journalism: “Green space is a passionate issue and making sure the community get the correct information about these proposals is always the most important thing. [Mayor] Joe Anderson even signed a petition to stop building on Newsham Park, it’s not something the council wants to do. We want people to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

It was also announced at the meeting that a panel would be set up to plan for Liverpool’s green spaces and Councillor Mitchell added that its aim was to be as inclusive at possible.

He said: “We want to invite all the different groups and have a look at the wider impact this project will have.”